Music --The Willows bring to the Middle East Upstairs a brand of Americana country rock inspired by the seasonal carnival scene up in Salem. Alas, no salt water taffy is included in the price of admission. With The Vic Morrows, The Resonance, The Giant Melons. Middle East Upstairs, 472 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, doors 9:00, 18+, $8. --While the show has been sold out for weeks, if there's any way you can get in we......

A weekend stand of winning baseball at home when the Sox take it to the Angels followed by the all day boozy spectator sport that is the Boston Marathon it's going to be a long week. Lucky for music fans there's a lot to look forward to and keep you up all night with that lovely ringing in your ears that only comes from live music. Tuesday, 4/17 Sammy Miami's Southern Alternative Acoustic Jamboree......

April Fool's Day is on the Horizon, but we ain't foolin this week. A solid line up of shows – starting with the Tourfilter DJ Night at River Gods – is ahead. It's mid-week heavy this time around so kick it like a rock star and be thankful you can sleep in on Saturday. Monday, 3/26 TourFilter Mixtape Tourfilter founder Chris Marstall will be at River Gods in Cambridge equipped with an evening full......

Frigid temps all week. Hot shows all week. Put them together and you've got a warm soul. Brave the cold and make it out this week, it will totally be worth it. Looking for a little inspiration while you're sitting at your desk this week? Plug in the headphones and pop on over to tourfilter to check out the HypeMachine powered mixtape. Look in the upper right corner and click mixtape, sort it by......

If you ventured out after Thursday's holiday to participate in the great American tradition – shopping – you likely were subjected to all sorts of Christmas music. From Clay's Merry Christmas with Love to Nat King Cole's classics it's upon us. More and more radio stations are picking up the radio formatting. It may not be "too early" but it's certainly not what you'll find if you check out this weeks shows. And remember......

Don't peace out just yet. There's a music agenda to complete before you're off for the holiday. After you've stuffed yourself full of all the mashed potatoes, yams, and turkey – oh, and the cranberry sauce, come right back. Tuesday 11/21 Francisco Mela Quintet Drummer Fancisco Mela recently played sold out shows at the Blue Note in NYC with heavy weights Joe Lovano, Jason Moran, Mark Turner, and Paquito D'Rivera. Now you can catch......

Filter Magazine, along with a few other corporate sponsors, including Honda, and local establishments Fenway Recordings and The Weekly Dig are hosting a free show from NY’s The Walkmen in Boston tonight. Yes free. Yes, the same Walkmen who sold out the Middle East a month ago. Just get your act together and your internet-wandering backside over to this Filter link and RSVP. Oh, and don’t stop too many times along the way over......

Don't forget Saturday is the Bostonist Anniversary Party at the Kinsale. In the interim please feel free to rev yourselves up with some of the great music rolling down the pike. Monday 3/20: Editors Neo-post-punk brits Editors (a la Joy Division & Bloc Party) with appropriately asterisked Stellastarr*. Roxy. Editors: Myspace | All Sparks.ram | purchase Tuesday 3/21: The English Beat, Westbound Train, The Sterns, and DJ Ford E. Buxworth More than just a......

This week we're trying hard to think about something other than how hard it is out here to be a pimp. Well, ok, maybe Bostonist is looking at the Oscars and just scratching our heads. We didn't know Jon Stewart could be that bland. We're still waiting to hear what Three 6 Mafia were wearing that made the camera all jakey last night. Now that we're done with the Academy we're looking back to Grammy.......

Neophyte British imports, The Subways, played Great Scott Saturday, December 3rd as Session #10 in the Fenway Recordings series, making a massive impact with their 3-piece barrage. With no more than 160kg (350 lbs.) shared between the band’s 3 members, The Subways impressed the packed house with maximum levels of energy and volume, thanks to the science of amplification and the miracle of sheer will. Guitarist/singer Billy Lunn was already standing on the kick drum......

With a three day weekend on tap, Bostonist took a minute to give out the choicest selections (and some free tickets!!). So after enjoying the weather all day, there will be no reason to stay in at night. If your planning to drink yourself into oblivion on Monday, Bostonist salutes you. Boston metal/hardcore stalwards, Converge play Harpers Ferry on Saturday and Sunday, should be a head walking good time. On Monday, Great Scott is......